The downward trend in weekly coronavirus cases in East Ayrshire has stopped abruptly, as more positive cases were recorded in the most recent seven-day period than the one before.

The latest Public Health Scotland figures show that there were 217 positive cases reported in East Ayrshire between July 18-24.

That’s 12 cases more than the week before and gives us a seven-day rate per 100,000 of population of 178.5.

Nationwide, cases are coming down. The other two Ayrshires have seen declines in case numbers this week, to levels not seen since the beginning of June.

It’s thought that a combination of the Scotland football team’s exit from Euro 2020, schools finishing up for the year, and the recent good weather are all contributing factors in cases coming down.

But why is East Ayrshire’s rate not coming down? Well, if we take a look at the neighbourhoods currently worst affected, we’ll see that the Shortlees area alone is responsible for 29 cases, similarly Altonhill North and Onthank have had 20 cases in the past week.

These two neighbourhoods (there are 30 in total) account for nearly one quarter of all cases. So it’s likely an outbreak connected to a workplace has driven these numbers up and inflated East Ayrshire’s total.

As a local authority area, we’re nearing 100 per cent of all adults having received at least a single dose of a COVID vaccine, with 91.5 per cent having received a jag.

Second doses aren’t that far behind either, with 72.9 per cent having received two shots of a vaccine.